Twitter Reactions: Kyle Jamieson's three-fer leaves India reeling in Wellington

Batting first in New Zealand has never been easy, especially for the visitors, and India got to know it the hard way in Wellington on Day 1 of the first Test. After losing the toss, the Kiwi bowlers dictated the conditions and kept a lid on the run-scoring while also picking wickets at regular intervals. Though rain had the final say in the end with no play happening in the final session, the home side had done enough to finish the day ahead of India.

Prithvi Shaw was preferred ahead of Shubman Gill even as India surprised many by leaving out Ravi Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant respectively. They got off to a poor start as well losing Shaw in the fifth over of the innings itself. Tim Southee delivered a proper outswinging delivery which pitched on middle and off-stump line to castle the batsman who tried to play the ball to the leg-side without any footwork.

Cheteshwar Pujara then blunted the ball with his defence but got a peach of a delivery from the debutant Kyle Jamieson, Virat Kohli too soon followed him getting out to the same bowler and left India reeling at 40/3 in the first hour of play. The Indian skipper chased a wide delivery and edged it to the first slip where Ross Taylor, playing his 100th Test, grabbed the chance.

India lose two more wickets in the second session

Amidst the fall of wickets at the other end, Mayank Agarwal kept his cool and displayed amazing composure facing the likes of Trent Boult and Southee. He played out the first session defending most of the times and crossed the 30-run mark. He got an able ally in Ajinkya Rahane who looked comfortable from the word go.

The duo did well to keep New Zealand at bay until lunch. But the Kiwis returned with menace in the second session and this time, didn’t give easy runs as well. Agarwal, in the process, top-edged the pull off Boult only for Jamieson to take a catch at long leg. Agarwal got a start and scored 34 runs before giving it away. Hanuma Vihari too couldn’t much and it was Jamieson once again who provided the breakthrough.

At 101/5, India looked down and out midway through the second session. New Zealand continued to keep it tight even then but Rahane stayed put and made sure that he didn’t throw his wicket away. Rishabh Pant somehow has remained unbeaten and looked at ease after spending more time in the middle. Both the batsmen added 21 runs for the sixth wickets in around 14 overs until tea.

New Zealand would’ve hoped to bundle India out in the final session but the rain came down heavily during the break and the play never resumed. The tourists have got some thinking to do now and they will be banking on Rahane and Pant and then Ravi Ashwin to get the team past the 200-run mark at least.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Can’t even sign a kid’s bat on the boundary without getting sprayed for it 😂😂😂

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) February 21, 2020

India MUST win this session to stay alive….13 more sessions to go in the Test but perhaps, the most important session for India to follow next. #NZvInd #EarlyCall

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020

Don’t be surprised if Jamison dismisses a few batsmen gloving to the keeper in this series. #ExtraBounce #NZvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020

Congratulations @RossLTaylor on such an amazing achievement. I’m sure all of your family and friends are extremely proud of you as is the whole of NZ. Fantastic man, father, husband, friend and cricketer. Although a terrible 500 partner. Go well mate #NZvIND #rosstaylor #100

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) February 21, 2020

Probable scenario—5 batsmen plus Pant. And play Five bowlers.
Reality—6 batsman plus Pant and no Saha. Didn’t see that coming. #NZvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020

Did I miss some high quality seam bowling? #NZvInd Good morning everyone 🤗

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2020

Jamieson – Pujara then #Kohli Test cricket a little to easy for the big quick. #INDvsNZTestCricket #INDvsNZ #NZvsIND #Cricket #ICC

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 21, 2020

Alright to have a good eye, but if you don't have good footwork to full moving deliveries opening the batting in New Zealand you are going to be a sitting duck. #NZvsIND #IndvNZ #Prithvishaw

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 20, 2020

3.30 am?? No problem – Gotta love the charm and excitement of test cricket. Happy to be back in the studio for this fantastic test series. Go well boys👍 #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/YZXCI3U5R2

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 20, 2020

Last Indian opener before Mayank Agarwal to survive the first session of a Test in New Zealand was Manoj Prabhakar in 1990 (95 in 268; Napier). #NZvIND

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 21, 2020

Seeing India's score, Rohit kissed his calf and said "tum bohot mast kaam karta hai". #NZvIND

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 21, 2020

One of those typical Virat Kohli's UNWANTED way of getting OUT. #NZvIND #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/uwKCtX2Hm7

— Daddy Hundred 🏏 (@daddyhundred) February 21, 2020

100 matches played in

Test – 67 players
ODI – 263 players
T20I – 3 players
All Formats – Ross Taylor*#NZvIND

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) February 21, 2020

Virat's failures hurts me more than India's Loss … 💔#NZvIND #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/JAkqYnXaVK

— ᴍᴀʜɪ✨🖤 (@Jinxxxxx18) February 21, 2020

The New zealand away test: some fall while others rise!#NZvsIND #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/TUy5ZmrCso

— A. (@a_smitholozy) February 21, 2020

@vikrantgupta73 that's why Steve smith is better test batsman than virat kohli, he shouldn't have played that shot

— Ujjwal (@Ujjwam5) February 21, 2020

Somewhere in between this Kane and Smith gentleness , I knew that we have lost our Kohli , the Kohli we used to love.

From fighting in 4th innings alone , to getting out to inexperienced bowlers , Kohli ain't the same 😢 pic.twitter.com/hAfQtqofru

— Neel Nittin (@Birmingham_144) February 21, 2020

It clearly indicates greatest batsman of modern era after considering NZ celebration over Smith & Kohli wicket

— Mr_Unstoppable_49 (@KarnaN75667624) February 21, 2020

Labuschagne, Smith,Williamson are 100 times better than overrated Kohli who only scores against West Indies and subcontinent teams to increase his stats and gets exposed is seaming condition#Ind vs Nz

— asiskumar (@asiskumar496) February 21, 2020

Kohli should skip bus ride and should follow Smith technique of running 😀😀

— Cricfam (@cricfam) February 21, 2020

Smith>>>>>>>>> kohli in test match format right now

— Ajay (@ajaykumar08) February 21, 2020

Poor form of kohli continues.
Should have lead his team after India lost early wickets.
This is difference between Kohli and smith.
We all saw how Smith lead Australia in Ashes tour.
Disappointing from kohli.
Hope he takes a break after series and comes back stronger.#NZvIND https://t.co/BqOYoH9NjQ

— Akki (@hereIcomeagain7) February 20, 2020

If it sticks with fielders Kohli is a walking wicket outside home
Yet some compare him with Steve Smith#INDvsNZ

— Cricket Aficionado 🇦🇺🌏🌏 (@Tafe25) February 20, 2020